With the springtime wild world and a backdrop of Easter bells ringing. Not real frost, of course, although the Surrey Hills had a few flakes of snow a fortnight back – hard to remember in today’s sun.
It’s blackthorn, spring’s showy pioneer.
The ground, too, is waking, and dewdrops brighten the flowers.
Bluebells are now at their peak, carpeting our oldest woods in shimmering sapphire.
I must have seen a thousand cowslips on Saturday’s walk.
Meanwhile, the mysterious toothwort sprouts flowers without leaves. Unlike almost all other flowers, it doesn’t photosynthesize, instead getting its nutrition from its host. That is usually hazel or alder.
Spring is beautiful, but there is an intrigue and depth to that beauty, and a lesson in how different strands of life support each other. I am grateful that there is always so much more to see and learn.
A Walk with Wildlife 
That must have been a glorious walk. I hope one day to get to see a bluebell wood. ❤
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I hope you do! Mid-April is the best time.
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It is always a pull to decide between bluebells and heather bloom. I’d love to see both! If I hit the lottery, I could spend months touring NT gardens and the backcountry. 😉
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LOL, sounds a perfect unending vacation! 😉
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Adele, lovely images! Lots of things here are showing their Spring colours! After a long winter it’s nice to have colour again!
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It is indeed! It’s amazing how much there is going on in nature all of a sudden. I’m glad to see the butterflies up and around, too.
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I love too all the sweet smelling and looking flowers but my allergies are had a high. everything in Southern Ca bloomed so early this year, Only time the hills are great is this time of the year. As soon as the heat hits, everything turns brown. So I double up on my meds so I can enjoy all the beauty, it’s worth it.
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Hi there, welcome to my blog! 🙂 Sorry to hear that you are suffering with allergies.
I can appreciate what it is like to have a short ‘green’ season. I have worked in some very hot climates in southern Europe. Here in England, 2018 brought us a long winter and almost no spring before jumping straight into summer. It seems to be making up for it this year though.
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What a beautiful post and tribute to spring. Interesting about the toothwort – I had not heard of it before. I love the little colour-coordinated slug on the flower!
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Thank you and so sorry for the late reply! Yes, toothwort is a little-known species but a very interesting one.
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